Experience Black History Month in Winston-Salem, NC: Events Include "Black History Month Showcase of Song" Feb. 27, 2016, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Black History Month Showcase of Song

Saturday, February 27, 2016

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

James A. Gray, Jr. Auditorium

(900 Old Salem Road)

The history of African Americans in Winston-Salem is deeply rooted in the philosophy that hard work and determination can bring forth transformation and innovation. Since the days of the early Moravian settlers in Salem, the works of African Americans can be seen in historic structures, schools, banks and in transportation, among many other areas. To find out more info about African American Heritage in Winston-Salem visit www.VisitWinstonSalem.com/BlackHeritage

During Black History Month, guests can learn more about the African American influences and history through the following activities:

·         Sat., Feb. 6 – Basic Black 101 Lunch & Lecture: History They Didn’t Teach You in School

                www.oldsalem.org/events/event/basic-black-101-lunch-lecture   

Old Salem Museums & Gardens, the historic site of St. Philips African Moravian Church, North Carolina’s oldest standing African Church, will host Dr. Corey D. B. Walker, Dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, Business and Education at Winston-Salem State University to discuss his book, A Noble Fight: African American Freemasonry and the Struggle for Democracy in America. The book explores the beginnings of the Black Masonic movement and its significance in African American history and society.

·         Wed., Feb. 10 – “Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution”
www.riverrunfilm.com/black-panthers-vanguard-of-the-revolution-free-indie-lens-pop-up-screening-210

Academy Award qualifying RiverRun International Film Festival’s Films With Class program will present an Indie Lens Pop Up Screening of “Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” There will be a discussion with special guests after the show. The film was selected as the “Audience Favorite” at the 2015 festival. Weaving together rare footage with the voices of diverse people who were there, director Stanley Nelson, winner of RiverRun 2015 Master of Cinema Award, tells the story of a pivotal movement that feels timely all over again.

·         Sat., Feb. 13 – African Storytelling and Drum Circle

www.oldsalem.org/events/event/african-storytelling-drum-circle

Feel the Rhythm... Embrace the Spirit of The Healing Force, a family of singers, storytellers and musicians.  Hear African stories told in the most enjoyable tradition!  Have fun learning the rhythms on the Djembe - a very popular traditional West African Drum.

·         Thurs., Feb. 18- Sun., Feb. 21 – "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" by August Wilson
http://www.uncsa.edu/performances/event-detail.aspx?id=74669#?eventid=74669
Directed by Nicole A. Watson A Tony-nominated drama about change, loss, and identity set in a boarding house in Pittsburgh during the 1920s. This hymn to the self presents Wilson at his poetic best, drumming the history of African American life in 20th Century America into our collective consciousness. Opening night, lends hand to a special performance to benefit the Larry Leon Hamlin & Sylvia Sprinkle Hamlin. The Hamlin Scholarship provides talented artists of color in UNCSA's schools of Drama and Design & Production an opportunity to further their training and education in the arts, through a beneficial partnership between UNCSA and the National Black Theatre Festival.

·         Fri., Feb. 19- Sun., Feb. 21 – “The Movement” and “Bullying” by the North Carolina Black Repertory Company

www.ncblackrep.org

The North Carolina Black Repertory Company will present two plays on a double bill, “Bullying” and “The Movement,” at the Arts Council Theatre, 610 Coliseum Drive. There will be a performance for students at 10 a.m. Feb. 19. “Bullying” was written by the Black Repertory Teen Theatre Ensemble with guidance from Samm-Art Williams, a Tony-nominated playwright. “The Movement” is an a cappella musical written and directed by Kathy D. Harrison and inspired by the Children’s Crusade of 1963.

·         Fri., Feb. 19- Sun., Feb. 21 – “We Shall Overcome” by Garrett Davis Productions
www.weshallovercome.me
Created by acclaimed playwright Garrett Davis,  We Shall Overcome will take you on an historical theatrical journey, never seen before, mixing cinema and theater together for what is sure to be a transformative experience for the audience as they witness the adversity experienced by our youth in the 60’s and how their struggles contributed to the social changes leading to equality in education thus providing guidance and hope for students today as they encounter situations of injustice and intolerance. The Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which was formed to give younger African Americans more of a voice in the civil rights movement, became one of the movement’s more vocal and active branches.

·         Sat., Feb. 27 – Black History Month Showcase of Song
www.oldsalem.org/events/event/black-history-month-showcase-of-song

The showcase will feature African American spirituals and the encoded messages contained in the songs that helped enslaved people escape to freedom.  Choirs and dance teams will sing and dance to great spirituals such as “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “Wade In the Water,” “Steal Away” and more.  Other genres of music which reveal the struggle and triumph of African Americans will be performed by musical ensembles, and the spoken word. 

·         Throughout February, Tues. through Sat. – African American Heritage Group Tour
www.oldsalem.org/tour/african-american-heritage-tours

Learn the stories of enslaved African Americans who lived in Salem and the African Moravian congregation that was organized in Salem in 1822. St. Philips African Moravian Church is North Carolina’s oldest standing African church. Your group will also tour the Museum of Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) and view some of MESDA’s most iconic objects and learn the hidden legacy of African American influences in Southern Decorative Arts. African American artists on display include Thomas Day. A North Carolina native, Day was a free black man who during the height of slavery, made a living selling his furniture pieces to more prominent whites. For groups sizes 12-14 people.  

·         Through April 30 – Invitational 2016 @ Delta Arts at Delta Fine Arts Center
www.deltaartscenter.org/gallery/upcoming-exhibition-2

Winston-Salem Delta Fine Arts is a non-profit, multidisciplinary arts organization committed to stimulating interest throughout the community in African-American culture, history, and humanities.

The oldest African-American multidisciplinary arts organization in Winston-Salem, and the only organization of its kind founded by African-American women in the state of North Carolina, Delta Arts Center will give guests the opportunity to view North Carolina African American artists in their third juried exhibition, Invitational 2016 @ Delta Arts.